Tottenham’s Danny Rose apologises for setting bad example in Chelsea draw

Danny Rose apologised for setting a bad example after frustrations boiled over during Tottenham’s bad-tempered 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

There was certainly no love lost between the two sides at Stamford Bridge as a feisty encounter produced 12 yellow cards as well as two mass brawls, in which both players and coaches were involved.

Tottenham and Chelsea may yet face retrospective action from the Football Association, with Mousa Dembélé particularly likely to receive a rebuke after he appeared to claw his fingers down Diego Costa’s face during a skirmish at the end of the first half.

There were several other incidents of petulance during the game and matters came to a head again at the full-time whistle when a melee in the tunnel resulted in Chelsea’s interim manager Guus Hiddink being pushed to the ground.

Rose, who sparked the first brawl after clashing with Willian and was booked, said he was sorry for how the game may have looked to young viewers.

“It is not nice to see for kids here or kids watching on TV. I apologise if it looked bad on TV,” Rose said.

“It is a London derby. It is to be expected. We wanted to win and they wanted to stop us having any more say in the title race.

“There are no bad words to say about Chelsea. These are the games you want to be part of. It was a great game.”

Érik Lamela appeared to tread deliberately on Cesc Fàbregas’s hand, Eric Dier was lucky not to be sent off for a reckless challenge and Costa was also fortunate not to receive punishment after leaning his head into Jan Vertonghen’s face.

The ill feeling continued after the game as another scrum outside the tunnel saw Hiddink fall to the ground while the likes of Rose, Costa and Vertonghen grappled with each other.

“I couldn’t tell you what happened, it was just handbags being thrown,” Rose said. “I saw the Chelsea manager fell on the floor. I hope he is all right. People were saying from the bench that he conducted himself like a true gentleman throughout the whole game. He did not want any trouble to be started.”

Chelsea had made clear before the match they wanted to end Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge and they succeeded as goals from Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard cancelled out earlier strikes from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Hazard scored to win the Blues the title last season and his stunning 83rd-minute finish this time ensured Leicester were crowned champions, with the Foxes now seven points clear with two games left.

“There are going to be tackles and tempers flaring. That is football,” the Spurs striker Harry Kane said. “We probably lost control a little bit. We had to be a bit more patient. But we are proud of each other. We fought for each other and that is what a good team does. We have got to learn from it and go again next season.”

The draw does mean Tottenham have all but secured at least a third-place finish and with Champions League football to come next season, Kane insists this young Spurs team will be back.

“This is not going to be a one-off,” Kane said. “People are starting to see that we are a good team and are getting better and better.

“All we can do is keep doing what we are doing, learn from days like today and take that into next season. We are there to fight for the league for many years to come.”

Owen Hargreaves makes a confident claim about Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min will eventually come good for Tottenham Hotspur, says Owen Hargreaves.

Former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on BT Sport 2 on Thursday evening that Tottenham Hotspur fans have yet to see the best of Son Heung-min.

Hargreaves made the comments about Son in the build-up to BT Sport 2’s live coverage of the Europa League last-16 first-leg tie between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham at Signal Iduna Park on Thursday evening (March 10).

“I think he is a very good player, he is a top player, he is only young, he is only 23 years old,” said the former Bayern Munich star. “In two seasons at Leverkusen, he scored 29 goals, so he is a natural goalscorer.”

“I think he has everything to his game,” added Hargreaves. “Spurs fans haven’t seen enough of him yet because this Spurs team is so good.”

Son joined Tottenham from German club Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015. The South Korea international forward arrived in England with a strong reputation, but he has yet to play to the best of his abilities for Spurs.

The 23-year-old has scored two goals and created 17 chances in 21 Premier League appearances so far this campaign.

Son has a pass accuracy of 79% and a shot accuracy of 58%, and has won five headers, 14 dribbles and 21 tackles.

The former Bayer star struggled to make an impact against Dortmund on Thursday evening. Son took two shots, had a pass accuracy 75%, did not create any chance, attempted one dribble, and made one interception and three clearances.

What have you made of Son Heung-min’s performances so far this season?

Son Heung-min shares Spurs' dressing room mood, comments on Pochettino's rotation decision

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 3-0 by Borussia Dortmund on Thursday night.

Tottenham Hotspur ace Son Heung-min has told Goal that the Spurs dressing room as 'very quiet' after the 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Spurs went to Germany in hope of a Europa League victory over Dortmund, but were soundly beaten at Signal Iduna Park, as the Bundesliga giants claimed a 3-0 win in the first leg of their quarter final clash.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang opened the scoring for Thomas Tuchel's men, before Marco Reus notched two second half goals to not only win the game, but potentially knock Tottenham out of the competition.

A second leg recovery at White Hart Lane seems unlikely, with manager Mauricio Pochettino seemingly putting the club's Premier League title hopes ahead of the Europa League.

The Argentine's team selection on Thursday night drew plenty of criticism, as the likes of Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele, Kyle Walker and Harry Kane were all left on the bench, whilst Eric Dier didn't even make the trip as Pochettino rotated his side.

It didn't work though, as Spurs mustered just three shots on goal and two shots on target, but winger Son Heung-min has told Goal that he doesn't think the rotation from Pochettino was the main reason for Tottenham's crushing defeat in Germany.

Son added that the mood in the dressing room was somewhat downbeat and 'very quiet', but didn't criticise Pochettino's rotation decision, and immediately looked ahead to this weekend's Premier League game against Aston Villa.

"We are very sad of course," said Son. "We did not think that we would lose by such a high margin. In the dressing room it was very quiet, but Dortmund were very good. Now we have to think about and prepare for the next match."

"I don’t know why it didn’t work out. But all of our players have quality and the coach has decided to rotate. I don’t think that the reason is the league, but the fact that he wanted to give a chance to other players who work always very well."

"We wanted to concentrate on the Europe League, but in the Premier League we still have the chance to become champions. Against Aston Villa? They play at home, they’re last in the table and they will come to fight. This has become a hard game for us and we must give 100 per cent," he added.

What did you think of Pochettino's decision to rotate the Spurs side?

Tottenham v Norwich preview: Pochettino could risk rotating against dangerous Canaries

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to start a winning run when they host Norwich City on Boxing Day.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are fourth in the table and have only lost twice in the Premier League this season, but eight draws mean that they have lost pace with frontrunners Arsenal and Leicester City.

Last weekend’s 2-0 win at Southampton was an excellent response to the home defeat to Newcastle United, but Spurs will want to string victories together. Their best winning run this season is three.

Although Norwich toppled Manchester United at Old Trafford in their previous outing, Pochettino might see their visit to White Hart Lane as an easier game than the trip to high-flying Watford 48 hours later.

Any rotation of his squad therefore might come against the Canaries. Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen may all be held back, but Harry Kane is likely to start a 46th straight league game.

Kieran Trippier may be called upon for a full league debut for Spurs. Son Heung-Min, Nacer Chadli, Tom Carroll and Nabil Bentaleb are also in contention if Pochettino chooses to shuffle his pack.

Summer buy Clinton N’Jie has been ruled out for up to three months after knee surgery. Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard are also sidelined. Danny Rose has recovered from illness, The Guardian reports.

Alex Neil may also consider resting some players. Monday’s home game against rock-bottom Aston Villa is much more winnable despite the confidence victory at United would have brought his Norwich side.

The Canaries should also be boosted by their recent record versus Spurs. They have lost only once on their last four trips to the white half of North London, and beat them in their most recent top-flight meeting in 2014.

Declan Rudd will continue to keep ex-England goalkeeper John Ruddy out of the side. Youssouf Mulumbu could be recalled at the expense of Wes Hoolahan should Neil wish to stiffen up his midfield.

Steven Whittaker, Jonny Howson and Graham Dorrans are among those who may benefit from some festive rotation. Loanees Andre Wisdom and Matt Jarvis missed the United win and remain out.

Newcastle's Ayoze Perez Claims Manchester United and Tottenham Interest

Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has claimed both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in his services.

But the Spaniard, who recently scored a 93rd-minute winner against the latter, seems happy to stay put at St. James' Park.

​"There is truth in the talk about interest in me. It's rewarding for me," Perez told Radio Club Tenerife.

"There is much truth in the interest from Tottenham and Man United, but my place is at Newcastle."

Perez arrived in the north east from Segunda Liga outfit Tenerife for £1.4m 18 months ago, and impressed with seven goals in his debut Premier League campaign.

The 22-year-old is only three shy of that tally this time around, despite starting in only 10 of the Magpies' top-flight matches.

United have only Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial as recognised strikers after allowing James Wilson to join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, while Spurs are down to just Harry Kane and Son Heung-min after Clinton N'Jie was ruled out for up to three months through injury.

The Red Devils' need is arguably more pressing, with Rooney and Martial mustering three fewer league goals (6) than Kane between them.

Perez's contract has three-and-a-half-years left to run, and a £15m price tag was reportedly slapped on his head last summer.​

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino keen to buy in domestic market

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to sign players already familiar with English football when the January transfer window opens.

Pochettino is likely to target a new striker to offer support to Harry Kane, with Clinton Njie likely to miss the next three months after undergoing knee surgery.

Kane remains the club's only frontline striker, with Son Heung-min, Nacer Chadli and Njie - when fit - able to operate in attack, although all three are happier as attacking midfielders. 

"Always it is difficult to bring in players from outside [England]," said Pochettino.

"For them to adapt in the Premier League, to the culture, the language - it is difficult to bring in players from outside. You need to take the right profile.

"I prefer to take players from England first. If we have the option to take players from here, I prefer it - from the Premier League, or the Championship or League One."

Valencia's Alvaro Negredo and Michy Batshuayi of Marseille have been linked with moves to White Hart Lane this week, although Spurs are reluctant, according to Sky sources, to go back in for West Brom striker Saido Berahino after having four bids rejected for him over the summer.

Clinton N'jie could be out for around three months

Berahino has scored only three goals since then and has not started in the league for the Baggies since October.

"It is not easy, the transfer window now is not easy," added Pochettino.

"You need one specific player and you can find this player but if not, it is better not to take any decision and work hard with the players you have and wait for the next transfer window.

"We track all different places, different positions because it is our job to try to be aware of what is happening in the market. This does not mean we will sign some players.

"It means only that you are aware and you track those players for the next transfer window in the summer."

Winger Andros Townsend appears set to leave the club, though, having not played a minute for the first team since a public falling out with a club fitness coach in November, with a loan move the likely solution.

Townsend was left on the bench when Pochettino fielded several fringe players against Monaco in the Europa League and the Tottenham head coach suggested a move away from White Hart Lane may be on the cards.

"I am happy with his response, the only problem we have is the number of players in front," said Pochettino.

"Sometimes when you give your place, it is tough to come back into the squad. Always when the player doesn't play, they want to try to find the better solution to play and show their quality.

"Maybe this is a decision we need to speak [about] in the future."

Kim Young-gwon named player of year

Guangzhou Evergrande defender Kim Young-gwon was named the male Player of the Year by the Korea Football Association, Wednesday, narrowly defeating Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min who'd won the title the two previous years.

Hyundai Steel Red Angels FC midfielder Jo So-hyun was awarded the female Player of the Year for her solid performances on the national team and her club.

Kim's triumph came after the national team's solid defense throughout this year. The Koreans did not yield a goal in 17 out of total 20 A matches this year, with Kim appearing in 14 of them. The 25-year-old spent 1,034 minutes on the field for the national team ― the most among all defenders ― and captained the Taeguk Warriors during their East Asian Cup victory in August.

As a mainstay of Guangzhou Evergrande's backline, Kim contributed to the club's top-place finish in the 2015 Chinese Super League as well as the Asian Champions League title.

"There are other contenders who are stronger than me, but the only reason I won this award is that I played as hard as I could," Kim said during the KFA awards ceremony at Hyochang-dong, Seoul.

Before the ceremony, expectations were high that either Son or Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng would win the award, given the two U.K.-based players have contributed to the national team and enjoyed success in the early half of this year. However, the two hit a slump in the middle of the 2015-16 season, while Kim showed a consistent performance throughout this year.

Jo was given the award after she captained her side to its first knockout appearance at the Women's World Cup in Canada in June. The 27-year-old also had a solid season with her club, leading the Red Angels to the third consecutive Women's K-League title.

The annual award has been presented to Korean footballers for their performance on the national team and in the K-League since 1969. From 1969 to 1981, 13 football legends have been honored, including Kim Ho, Lee Hoe-taek, Cha Bum-keun, Kim Ho-kon and Cho Kwang-rae.

After skipping the 1982 award, citing the national team's dismal performance in international competitions, two more footballers, including Huh Jung-moo, received the award before it was abolished in 1985, as the award was deemed to overlap the K-League's MVP award.

As Korean footballers started to make it into European leagues and show solid performances in the late 2000s, the award was reinstated in 2010, giving former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and Chelsea LFC midfielder Ji So-yun the honor. From then, the award was only given to Europe-based players, except for Jeon Eun-ha playing for Daejeon Sportstoto WFC.

Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng won two consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012, while Tottenham Hotspurs' Son Heung-min collected the trophy in 2013 and last year. In the women's division, Ji won the honor four times in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014, four of the six years it's been offered.